Trade war with US will benefit no one, warns China as it readies for 'appropriate response'

A trade war with the US will benefit no one, China warned on Thursday, as it prepares for an 'appropriate and necessary response' to US if President Donald Trump fires the first shots.

"Choosing a trade war is surely the wrong prescription, in the end, you will only hurt others and yourself," news agency AFP quoted Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi as saying during a press conference, adding that "China will certainly make an appropriate and necessary response."

The Trump administration is expected to formally introduce previously announced tariffs on steel and aluminium imports on Thursday in the US.

US imports from China of these two goods make up a small proportion of its total imports from the world's second-largest economy. But the tariffs may be the first foray into an American trade war with Beijing.

In coming weeks, the Trump administration is expected to issue a report on intellectual property theft which may hammer China and possibly incite further tariffs on a wide range of Chinese imports, reported AFP.

Trump brought up the forthcoming moves on Wednesday, saying on Twitter that the US had asked China to develop a plan to reduce the deficit by one billion dollars.

China has been asked to develop a plan for the year of a One Billion Dollar reduction in their massive Trade Deficit with the United States. Our relationship with China has been a very good one, and we look forward to seeing what ideas they come back with. We must act soon!